Vehicle with regenerative power system

Abstract

A wheeled vehicle is provided including a main frame having a plurality of ground engageable support wheels. An electric motor is supported from the main frame and drive train structure drivingly connects the rotatable output shaft of the motor to at least one of the ground engaging support wheels. A bank of rechargeable storage batteries is also supported from the main frame and electrically connected to the motor for actuation thereof through a variable voltage control. Also, a pair of generators or alternators are supported from the main frame and are driven from at least one of the ground engaging support wheels of the vehicle. The generators or alternators are electrically connected to the bank of storage batteries for recharging the latter. At least one of the generators is electrically connected to the bank of storage batteries through a voltage regulator and the circuit electrically connecting the other generator or alternator to the bank of storage batteries may include a control switch actuated to a closed position upon initial depression of the brake pedal of the associated vehicle. It is intended that the generators or alternators will be used to partially recharge the bank of batteries when the vehicle is coasting to a stop or coasting downhill.

What is claimed as new is as follows: 
     
       1. In combination, a vehicle including a frame having a plurality of ground engageable wheel means, an electric motor having a rotatable output shaft, rotating drive train means drivingly connecting said output shaft to said wheel means, a bank of rechargeable storage batteries supported from said frame, a pair of electric current generators including rotatable input shafts, drive means drivingly connecting said wheel means to said input shafts, and parallel first and second circuits electrically connecting said generators to said storage batteries and said batteries to said motor, respectively, said second circuit including voltage control means electrically connected therein for selectively controlling the voltage of current flow from said batteries to said motor, said drive means including a pair of two speed ratio transmissions each selectively driving a corresponding input shaft at a selected drive ratio of two available drive ratios. 
     
     
       2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said first circuit includes a regulator electrically connected therein for controlling the input of electrical potential from said generators to said batteries. 
     
     
       3. The combination of claim 2 wherein said voltage control means comprises a rheostat. 
     
     
       4. The combination of claim 1 including a battery charger mounted on said vehicle and electrically connected to said bank of batteries for charging the same, said battery charger including electrical potential input circuit means for electrical connection with a suitable source of household current.